• Phytotherapy is considered by many to be an “alternative” method of healing.
• Phytotherapy remains an important medical concept to this day, and maybe a part of your life without you even knowing it.
• Phytotherapy is considered by many to be an “alternative” method of healing. In many countries, traditional or more conventional medicine is kept separate from phytotherapy or hebal medicine and phytodrugs.

Medical research and the search for more effective drugs is a never ending preoccupation. Despite the huge investment of time and resources, cures to some of the world’s major illnesses and diseases remain elusive.

Phytotherapy is considered by many to be an “alternative” method of healing. In many countries, traditional or more conventional medicine is kept separate from phytotherapy or hebal medicine and phytodrugs. The word “phytotherapy” originates from the Latin word for therapy, therapia, which means to medically treat. Phyto also comes from Latin and means plant. Put simply, phytotherapy means herbal medicine.

Drugs derived from plant sources are known as phytodrugs. They are usually compounds made from a number substances derived from a number of different plants, and sometimes a single plant. Phytodrugs are generally thought to carry less side effects than many conventional drugs and are therefore considered desirable for the treatment of chronic conditions and metabolic disorders. For example, St John’s Wort (also known as hypericum perforatum) is used for the treatment of depressive disorders that are mild to moderately severe.

Herbal medicine has been used in many cultures for centuries. It has been recorded that large amounts of garlic were given to Egyptian builders when they were constructing the pyramids in order to prevent them from contracting malaria. Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties that have been used extensively through history. Herbal medicine was also very common in ancient Chinese medical practice, and herbal medicine is even mentioned in the Bible.

Phytotherapy remains an important medical concept to this day, and maybe a part of your life without you even knowing it. For example a cup of tea contains alkaloids which have beneficial pharmacological effects. Also, many spices are attributed with health benefits.

Many natural plant sources are used in what might be considered more traditional or conventional pharmaceuticals. The bark of the cinchona tree is a source of quinine which is used as an antimalarial drug. The peppermint plant produces oil from which menthol can be extracted. Menthol has properties which make it suitable for use as a local anesthetic and it also has counterirritant qualities. Plant substances may also be produced synthetically in a laboratory, but they are often modified chemically for reasons such as better absorption and transport within the body.

When phytotherapy has been around for so long, why is it considered an alternative method of medicine, rather than traditional? Phytotherapy is often thought of as being associated with more unconventional and scientifically unproven medical practices. For example, in the North African nation of Cameroon, traditional healers combine herbal medicines with prayer and other practices in their treatments, and this has become known as phytotherapy. That is perhaps why phytotherapy is usually classified as alternative or traditional, or is sometimes known as rational or allopathic phytotherapy, in order to set it apart from scientifically unproven methods that may have been passed down through the generations.

Phytotherapy is both historically significant, and backed by solid research and science. It is a massive area of medicine that cannot be written off or dismissed as being merely an “alternative” method.

• Auriculotherapy has a long and diverse history, ranging from ancient China, ancient Persia, and ancient Egypt
• The process involves stimulating reflex points on the ear to bring about health improvements
• Some insurance companies may cover some portion of the treatment in specific situations

Auiculotherapy is an ancient practice that millions swear by as a great way to treat health problems all over their bodies. Related to acupuncture and sometimes performed as a form of that Chinese method, this therapy has been growing in popularity in the United States.

Auriculotherapy History

Like acupuncture, auriculotherapy dates back to ancient China. The practice was actually combined with acupuncture in the definitive text on these practices that was written around 500 BC. However, that practice was narrower than what is commonly practiced today. Some of what we’ve learned about the process has come from ancient Rome and Greece where similar techniques have been practiced and recorded. Records from ancient Persia and throughout medieval Europe show that auriculotherapy was also frequently used as a medical treatment with great success.

However, just because a treatment was used thousands of years ago does not make it an appropriate method for modern times. That’s why practitioners base much of their methods on the word of Dr. Paul Nogier who was researching this type of therapy in France during the 1950’s.

His interest in the process became sparked when he noticed a scar on the ears of a few patients. When he asked them about the scar, he heard the same story: the patients had suffered from horrible back pain and a local woman had cauterized that part of their ear as a treatment for the pain. All of them agreed that her technique had been a success.

To help his patients, he tried similar procedures and found similar positive results. He then began expanding his treatment with the ear to see if stimulating other points on the ear could relieve additional pain and health problems. He was amazed by his discoveries.

The Practice Itself

The modern practice of auriculotherapy typically does not involve cauterization of points on the ear. Instead, mild electrical stimulation is often used to create the desired impact. A related procedure known as auricular acupuncture involves the use of acupuncture needles placed in parts of the ear.

Because Dr. Nogier discovered that the ear includes hundreds of reflex points which are connected to almost every part of the body. By stimulating the right part of the ear, you’ll be able to make amazing health changes in individuals’ health. Almost every health condition from sinus infections to back pain to PMS to drug addiction can supposedly be helped using this practice.

Most patients will have treatments received 2 to 3 times per week. The treatments do not take long (15 to 30 minutes at most) and do not cause any negative side effects so patients can return immediately to work in most cases. After six weeks, relief should be noticeable. After twelve weeks of repeated treatments, most patients report feeling a great deal of relief.

Insurance Coverage

Auricular acupuncture is not likely to be covered by most insurance plans because very few have recognized the health benefits of acupuncture on any part of the part, particularly the ear. However, if the coding for auriculotherapy is done as neurostimulation, many will cover the costs under your policy. You may want to check with your practitioner and your insurance company before beginning your treatments.

• Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice involving the placement of needles to manipulate the flow of energy in the body
• Acupuncture for weight loss works by reducing stress and preventing the food cravings which might derail your diet
• While acupuncture is sometimes said to be pain free, there is some mild discomfort involved in the process

You may have heard claims before about acupuncture for weight loss. If you’ve tried lots of fad diets or weight loss programs, you should consider trying this technique which has been helpful for thousands of people in the United States and around the world. However, even the most ardent supporters of acupuncture massage recommend sticking to an exercise programs and healthy diet while using acupuncture to make your efforts a bit easier.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that originated in China thousands of years ago. The practice involves placing thin needles into the skin where they meant to stimulate or redirect the flow of energy in the body n order to create different results. Pain relief is one of the most common uses of acupuncture but more people are looking into other benefits of the technique, including acupuncture for weight loss.

How Would Acupuncture Help Weight Loss?

No one, not even the practitioners themselves, fully understands how acupuncture works. But the common believe is that because overeating is typically related to stress, using acupuncture to help relief that stress can actually cause a sedating effect in certain parts of the body thus reducing the desire to eat except when truly hungry.

As a result, you would still need to eat a balanced diet and exercise in order to drop pounds but the acupuncture would help in reducing your food cravings and might help you deal with the stress associated with dieting.

How Do I Choose a Practitioner?

The best way to make sure you are working with a trained professional is to visit the American Academy of Acupuncture web site and locate members who are working in your area. Members of professional organizations are much more likely to provide good results and service than someone you find in the phone book.

If you know someone who has successfully used acupuncture for weight loss, ask them to refer you to their practitioner. Not only will this help you find someone with experience in what you’re looking for but your friend may even receive a discount on his or her future services for the referral.

What Should I Expect?

If you’re worried about the technique, some acupuncture education might help reduce your nervousness. The most common concern new patients seem to have is about the pain level of the procedure. Having needles stuck into parts of your body does not seem like a pain free activity. However, most people who do have the procedure say exactly that. That does not mean there isn’t some discomfort during the procedure.

What typically happens is you’ll feel a sharp pain when the needle is inserted into your skin. That pain goes away and may be replaced by an aching sensation once it is placed at its correct depth. The aching may subside or may lessen but is usually bearable. After all of the needles are placed – around a dozen are used during each session – they are left in place for a certain amount of time, usually no longer than 20 minutes. During that time, you may feel the aching but not pain.

• Chinese medicine acupuncture is the oldest medical treatment on record
• Acupuncture is based on the Chinese philosophy of balanced yin and yang
• The most effective uses of acupuncture are for pain relief and post chemotherapy discomfort

If you’ve done any research on alternative medicine, you’ve probably come upon the term acupuncture. This is one of the most popular alternative health treatments. It has been used for a wide range of problems, including pain management. Some interested people may not realize that there is a connection between acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

History of Acupuncture

Although the term “acupuncture” was created by a Dutch physician who saw the treatment being performed during a visit to Nagasaki early in the 17th century, the treatment method actually began in China. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have had a very long relationship. The specific date of the treatment’s origins is unclear. Some claim acupuncture has been practiced for 2,000 years while others say 4,000 years. Either way, Chinese medicine acupuncture would be considered the oldest medical treatment continually practiced on earth.

The practice of acupuncture is rooted in Chinese philosophy that dates back almost 8,000 years. This philosophy revolved around the idea that harmony need to be found between opposing forces in the world, such as the living and the dead or good and evil. The methods for performing acupuncture were first put into a book called the Nei Ching Su Wen in China approximately 2,000 years ago. The problem is that the authorship of the text has never been clearly established so dating the text accurately has proven to be difficult.

What is Acupuncture?

To understand acupuncture, you need to understand one of the main ideas in Chinese medicine: the yin and the yang. These are those opposing forces which are at the center of the philosophy behind acupuncture. Good health requires that these forces be balanced. When the body has too much of either force, the vital energy known as qi is blocked. To unblock these areas, the small needles are inserted at a key point known as an acupuncture point. According to practitioners, more than 2,000 of these points are present on the human body.

Acupuncture in the West

The practice of acupuncture originated in China but did spread throughout most of Asia, including Korea and Japan. However, the practice did not reach the United States until 1971. During that year, a reporter for the New York Times had surgery which left him in a lot of pain. While he was in China, he visited acupuncture practitioners who used their needles to give him relief. After he wrote about these acupuncture practices, interest in this ancient Chinese treatment skyrocketed in the West. As of 2002, more than 8 million Americans have used acupuncture at some point in their lives. About 2 million people go to a practitioner every year. The practice is very safe if you choose a reputable practitioner who follows standard safety procedures, such as using sterilized needles.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture

As a vital part of Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to alleviate many health problems. Western research has been difficult to conduct effectively but patients have reported pain relief after surgeries, from lower back problem, from headaches, from fibromyalgia, and from osteoarthritis. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce nausea and discomfort after chemotherapy treatments.

• Chinese medicine is becoming more and more popular in the West.
• Regular, daily exercise is an integral part of Chinese culture and provides a lot more than a means to burn off excess calories.
• The secret of Chinese longevity and anti aging is daily participation in healthy and fun exercise activities.

The Chinese have been developing knowledge on medicine, extending longevity and maintaining health for well over 2,000 years. The Chinese longevity symbol is well known for symbolizing health, wealth, love, virute and longevity. Chinese medicine and medical methods have been documented in medical manuals and ancient manuscripts and have been passed down through the generations. Chinese medicine is becoming more and more popular in the West where it is being adopted as a multi-faceted system of health care that can be personalized for each individual.

Life expectancy in China remains high despite significant disadvantages. China pays a heavy price for its quickly developing economy and industry in terms of pollution and other environmental factors. Food standards and regulation lag behind those adopted by Western governments and poverty is still widespread despite wealth and employment increasing in China. Government health care expenditure in China is also very low, perhaps reflected in the high rate of infant mortality, particularly in the rural areas. Despite these factors, life expectancy in busy and overcrowded cities continues to be high. Life expectancy in the city of Beijing is 80 years old whilst life expectancy in Hong Kong is over 82 years old.

If you walk through the streets of a Chinese city, you will find clues to the secret of Chinese longevity. It seems wherever you go, Chinese people are engaged in some form of exercise. They practice tai chi, take part in aerobics and play games. You might even see some ballroom dancing in the open air in the evening. Regular, daily exercise is an integral part of Chinese culture and provides a lot more than a means to burn off excess calories. It is also an important form of social interaction that is not only fun, but also keeps people involved in the community. This means that all ages within the community remain involved in fun and healthy activities. The elderly remain active and do not become isolated.

Taking regular exercise is an extremely important factor in leading a healthy life and in improving longevity. It is also easily integrated into almost any lifestyle, even where people are struggling against poor health. Even those with a debilitating illness such as osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis or arthritis that might make some forms of exercise very difficult indeed, can take part can take in mild forms of activity that might improve health, and may also help to alleviate some of the symptoms of their illness.

People who are tired or those who suffer pain regularly, or stiffness and fatigue, are far more likely to lower their activity levels and this can lead to a swift decline. If no exercise is taken, the lack of activity is likely to lead to higher levels of lethargy. As use declines, muscle tone and strength also reduces, as can bone density. These factors in turn are also likely to increase stiffness and pain and will increase the aging process rather than reduce it.

Exercise such as running can be strenuous and hard on the joints. Look to take part in low impact exercise such as walking or swimming. Also, exercise such as tai chi will help with muscle tone, flexibility and bone density. It also helps with breathing and relaxation. Regular participation in tai chi, or yoga could add years to your life, and provide you with improved health and well being.

Taking part in tai chi may lower your blood pressure and will stimulate your central nervous system. It also helps to improve the function of your digestive system. Equally importantly, it will keep you involved in a group based activity that is fun and healthy.

The secret of Chinese longevity and anti aging is daily participation in healthy and fun exercise activities. In the West we tend to dip in and out of health regimes – diets and exercise programs. Take a leaf out of the Chinese book – exercise that is woven into your daily life will bring you long term physical and psychological advantages that will add up to a longer, healthier life.

• Recent research has discovered that our body responds to our bio rhythm in many ways and that many of our cells actually seem to work on a timer.
• Disturbances to these biorhythms can be dangerous to your health.

You may have heard about daily biorhythms on the Internet or elsewhere, but you may not have realized the important role they play in our lives and in our health. Recent research has discovered that our body responds to our bio rhythm in many ways and that many of our cells actually seem to work on a timer. Understanding this connection can help improve our health and metabolism.

What are Biorhythms?

First, we need to distinguish between two types of biorhythms. On the one hand, you’ll find talks about biorhythms that have no scientific basis. The idea, for example, that your moods or your behavior are governed by some type of cycle has not been supported by any research so there’s no point in getting a free biorhythm calculator to determine your unique cycle.

Instead, we’re talking about the type of biorhythms that are found in all animal species. In humans, these rhythms are sometimes known as circadian rhythms. These rhythms are changes in the body that are based on what has been referred to as a biological clock. For example, people tend to get sleepy at a certain point of the day. People also have a need to eat at certain points of the day. Part of what controls our circadian rhythms is our exposure to light. Researchers have discovered that by removing light cues they can disrupt the rhythms of subjects fairly easily. And, of course, anyone who has traveled internationally knows that jet lag can have a horrible impact on our circadian rhythms.

Besides simply being annoying, disturbances to these biorhythms can be dangerous to your health. Heart disease, depression, and even cancer have been linked to these disruptions in past studies. Now research is also showing that these rhythms do more than determine when we want to go to bed. They control a great deal of our body’s functions, including metabolism.

The Research

In July 2008, researchers at the University of California at Irvine discovered a connection between two proteins: one has been named CLOCK and the other SIRT1. The CLOCK protein is responsible for maintaining the circadian rhythms discussed above. The SIRT1 protein, however, is responsible for controlling the energy used by the cells in the body. What the research has shown is that these rhythms control about 15% of all of our body’s genes.

SIRT1 and CLOCK have formed an epigenome. As an epigenome, they use environmental factors to tell the DNA within the cells how to respond. When our circadian rhythm is being adhered to, the environmental factors and this rhythm are in harmony so the cells respond in a normal fashion. However, if the environmental factors are different, our cells can behave in different ways, too. This could be why changes in sleep patterns can have such drastic impacts on the rest of our health and well-being, including prompting increased hunger, slowed metabolism, and weight gain.

The bottom line is that good health requires sticking close to your circadian rhythms and that includes not eating right before you go to sleep.

• Breathing directly effects the quality and quantity of oxygen that circulates around our bodies through the blood.
• Breathing exercises are a simple way to improve your breathing, and therefore your overall health.

Breathing Exercises Benefit Not Only Your Lungs But Entire Body

Breathing directly effects the quality and quantity of oxygen that circulates around our bodies through the blood. Oxygen levels in the blood may fall by around 20% due to the aging process and normal breathing habits. Reduced oxygen caused by poor breathing can lead to decreased mental alertness and reduced energy levels. Poor breathing may also lead to stiffness in the muscles surrounding the rib cage as inhalation becomes harder. This can be caused by a lack of elasticity in the breathing muscles which can cause stale air to remain in the lungs, preventing fresh oxygen from entering the blood stream.

Poor breathing may also lead to or be caused by raid shallow breathing. This can also be caused by poor posture. Poor oxygen supply can lead to other serious complications such as heart disease and respiratory disease.

These breathing exercises are a simple way to improve your breathing, and therefore your overall health. They will exercise your breathing muscles, help to cleanse the lungs and are also an ideal way to release tension and stress.

Belly Breathing

Practice this breathing exercise for 5 minutes:

1. Lie on the floor, flat on your back. Use pillows to support under your neck and knees. Close your eyes and get a sense of deep breathing. Notice how your breathing causes a natural rise and fall in the stomach.

2. Put your hands on your stomach just at the base of your rib cage with the fingers of each hand barely touching one another – your lungs extend to around this point where the diaphragm is located. Take a slow, deep breath so that your middle rises, separating your fingers. This happens as your diaphragm expands and contracts in order to allow the lungs to fill and empty. As they do so, oxygen enters the blood stream on inhalation, and as you exhale, CO2 and other waste products from the blood stream are exhaled.

3. The movement of the diaphragm which causes your fingers to part indicates that the lungs are fully filling, rather than a partial filling of the lungs often known as “chest breathing”. Chest breathing fills the upper and middle parts of the lungs only, whereas “belly breathing” allows a greater volume of air to be circulated. Small children use this method instinctively until their chest develops and matures.

Complete Breath Exercise

Again practice this drill for 5 minutes.

1. Sit up straight with good posture and exhale.
2. As you inhale, try to relax your belly muscles. Complete a full inhalation and feel the sensation which might feel as though your belly is filling with air.
3. After your belly seems to be full, continue to inhale filling up the middle and upper parts of your chest. You will feel your rib cage expand as your lungs continue to fill.
4. Hold your breath for a brief moment and then begin your exhalation as slowly as you can.
5. As you exhale, and the air escapes, relax your chest. You can then begin to pull in your belly in order to force out the remaining air in the lungs.
6. As you carry out this exercise, concentrate on your breathing, feel and listen as the air enters and exits your lungs. Try to relax and allow the tension in your facial muscles to release.

These simple exercises or methods of breathing will help you develop better breathing which can have a very positive effect on your overall health. Practice them every day for the best results and you will feel the benefits not only to your breathing, but to your sense of well being.

• This approach to the practice utilizes the Chinese idea of the five elements that govern all aspects of life. These elements include wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
• Skeptics argue that physical pain and sickness are best treated through traditional means, although acupuncture can be fine for spiritual or mental treatments.

One of the increasingly popular alternative therapies and treatments for a wide range of disorders is acupuncture. If you’re considering acupuncture, you should learn about the causative factor, an integral concept in what is called Five-Element acupuncture. Below is an overview of this concept.

Understanding Five-Element Acupuncture

Before you can understand the concept of the causative factor, it may be useful to learn a little more about this approach to acupuncture. As you may already be aware, acupuncture was developed thousands of years ago in China. This approach to the practice utilizes the Chinese idea of the five elements that govern all aspects of life. These elements include wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

According to this acupuncture style, each person is born with these elements. However, at some point in their lives an imbalance occurs with one of these elements. That imbalance is considered to be the source of the person’s health problems and the element causing the imbalance is considered to be the causative factor.

Determining the Causative Factor

When you have a first session with an acupuncturist from this tradition, he or she will need to assess your causative factor. According to practitioners, the causative factor can be determined because an imbalanced element gives off unique odors, colors, sounds, and emotions. The practitioner looks for these signs to determine the cause of your problems.

Once the causative factor has been identified, the acupuncturist devises a unique treatment plan for the patient. Because no two patients ever exhibit the same symptoms, no acupuncture treatment will ever be the same for any two patients.

Dealing with Physical Problems

Those who follow the Five-Element form of acupuncture often encounter people who do not accept that such an approach would be useful in dealing with physical illnesses. Skeptics argue that physical pain and sickness are best treated through traditional means, although acupuncture can be fine for spiritual or mental treatments. The Five-Element acupuncturist would disagree. He or she would claim that physical problems are manifestations of the causative factor in the same way that mental or spiritual “illnesses” are caused by that factor.

They would also point out that despite so many revolutions in medical science and despite sanitation and nutrition being so important in the Western world, the rate of illness still seem to be quite high. They might then argue that this means that traditional methods of dealing with these physical manifestations of the causative factor aren’t so effective.

The True Holistic Approach

Holistic medicine, which has become popular in recent years, is about treating the entire body, and nothing does that better than Five-Element acupuncture. By identifying the causative factor and treating the imbalance, an acupuncturist can bring all of the elements in the body back into alignment, which would help improve all aspects of the quality of life, including those elements of the body, mind, and spirit. Only through the identification of the causative factor can acupuncture work to improve a wide range of physical ailments and problems.

• Herbs and foods can play a big role in natural pain relief.
• Natural pain relief may come in many ways, and what works best on you may not work as well on another person.

There are many natural cures for pain, and these can include mechanical methods, herbs, foods, and other pain relief options. Many of us do not want to rely on prescription and pharmaceutical pain relief products, because of the side effects and risks involved. When we have chronic or severe pain, we do want relief as fast as possible though, and natural pain relief treatments can help with this whether or not we use OTC pain relievers. Ice and heat have long been used to help control pain, and many times this therapy is under-utilized which is unfortunate as both methods can be quite beneficial. Soaking in a tub full of hot water can help relieve many aches and pains by improving circulation, and it helps to relax you as well. Pain in joints and muscles caused by swelling and inflammation can be relieved by applying ice packs regularly to the painful areas. Ice therapy is actually as important as oral pain medication in cases of injury.

Herbs can play a big part in natural pain relief. Capsaicin found in red pepper can help relieve pain from arthritis and other joint disorders, as well as other types of pain. Capsaicin helps block pain signals when used on a regular basis. These plants can be taken as a supplement in pill form, or they can be added to a topical ointment that is used on your affected body areas. If you have suffered a burn that is causing pain, break off the leaf of an aloe vera plant and rub the sap on the burned skin, and you will be amazed at the cooling and soothing sensation that takes place almost instantly. Aloe also helps to stimulate collagen synthesis for healing. Turmeric is a spice that can be very effective in joint pain relief. It contains a strong anti-oxidant named curcumin that has anti-inflammatory abilities. You can either add turmeric to your food in moderate amounts, take a supplement in a capsule form, or use a plaster that contains the spice on the joints that are painful. Using the plaster method will also help you greatly reduce any swelling in the joint.

Foods can also play a part in natural pain relief. There are some foods, such as tart cherries, that have certain compounds which reduce inflammation and lessen pain and can be eaten every day. Tart cherry is an old folk remedy for gout. Fish can also help prevent pain, because the Omega-3 oils in certain cold water fish help to mediate prostaglandins in the body, chemicals that control inflammation . One very effective natural pain reliever is clove oil if you are suffering from a toothache. Apply the clove oil directly to the gums where you are experiencing pain. Topical Emu oil has been know to help relieve joint pain. Menthol oil, camphor oil, and wintergreen oil are all known anodynes, or pain relievers when used topically. They also create a cooling sensation when they come in contact with the skin which helps to create an immediate sensation of relief

Natural pain relief may come in many ways, and what works best on you may not work as well on another person. Because of this, it may be necessary for you to try many different methods and treatments before you get effective pain relief. Lifestyle can also play an important part in managing pain. Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. During sleep your body heals and recharges, and not getting enough sleep can short circuit this effect and create more pain. Make sure that you get enough exercise as well. Some pain may be caused by weak muscle, so staying in shape will help minimize these pains caused by structural imbalance. This includes back pain, which many people don’t realize can be affected by poor posture and weak stomach muscle tone. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, because when your body becomes dehydrated, pain messages can become worse. In addition, water is necessary for your body to operate efficiently and recover from any stress or injury. There are also alternative treatments for pain, such as acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, and many others, that can help to relieve your pain effectively, letting you take control again. Using OTC pain relievers occasionally is okay, but should not become habitual. With this in mind however, there is no need to let pain rule your life because of a concern for overuse of drugs. Natural cures for pain relief are abundant and should be used as much as possible to restore and maintain a full quality of life.